Akademiska Hus invests multimillions in Polacksbacken Campus in Uppsala
Monday, 27 May 2019
Akademiska Hus is investing SEK 156 million to convert the old barracks Building 3 on the Polacksbacken Campus into a modern education environment for the NTI Upper Secondary School and ProCivitas.
Building 3 is one of three barracks at Polacksbacken that was built at the beginning of the twentieth century for the Uppland Infantry Regiment. The building is in the middle of one of the most interesting areas for development in Uppsala, with good public transportation and direct proximity to Ulleråker, which has extensive plans for new residential neighbourhoods. Previously Uppsala University rented Building 3, but it vacated the premises in 2017 to move in to the recently built Segerstedt Building. Prior to occupancy of the 7,500 m2 building by new tenants – two upper secondary schools that are owned by AcadeMedia – Akademiska Hus is inventing in extensive renovations.
“We see a strong demand for centrally located facilities for upper secondary school programmes, especially with the new residential neighbourhoods that will be built in the immediate area. By welcoming AcadeMedia to our premises, we would like to promote the expansion of the population currently underway in Uppsala. At the same time, we hope that proximity to Uppsala University will encourage more upper secondary school students to develop an interest in the science programmes at the university,” says Peter Bohman, Market Area Director at Akademiska Hus.
The renovation of Building 3 will create an efficient and dynamic environment that meets current requirements for modern education facilities. Great emphasis will also be placed on preserving and highlighting characteristic details from the period that will remain in the listed building. This effort will include restoring the original floor plan and generous ceiling heights, as well as reopening the broad corridors along the facade. The former troop rooms will become classrooms and the café, meeting rooms and break rooms for students will be placed at the heart of the building.
“Establishment in the new premises and in Uppsala will be part of AcadeMedia’s growth strategy in the upper secondary school segment, with a focus on quality and the students. The NTI Upper Secondary School is now moving into attractive facilities close to the technical and computer science-related research and education programmes at Uppsala University, while ProCivitas will have the opportunity to become established in the fourth largest city in Sweden in an innovative campus environment with a prime location. We are extremely pleased about this, as well as for the collaboration with Akademiska Hus,” says Peter Andersson, property manager at AcadeMedia.
The renovation is planned to start in June 2019 and will be completed in August 2020.